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Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.mandohangout.com/archive/39226
antqcolctr - Posted - 10/13/2014: 19:10:04
Hi! I've just recently had the opportunity to "meet' my great-grandfather's mandolin, and was wondering if any of you could perhaps tell me more about it. I have pics, but don't have them uploaded yet. It's a "typical" bowl-back, with a paper label inside that says "National." I was unable to find any other identifying marks. In it's current condition it's only good as a decorative piece/family treasure - on the top there is a crack that goes about half-way down from the neck (right along the binding), and where it's cracked the top has caved in a bit, and where the "ribs" meet the neck there is evidence of separation.
I haven't had any luck finding any information about National as a manufacturer. I know that this mandolin was actively played from around 1900 - 1908/1909, so my assumption is that it was made somewhere around 1895 - 1900.
Anyone ever run into National branded instruments?
Thanks!
Tammy
Ben Venuti - Posted - 10/20/2014: 19:10:58
There were hundreds of builders of fretted instruments during that period -that along with the rebranding of instruments for stores etc. makes it almost impossible without a photo. Michael Holmes' list does not have an entry for "National" during that time frame and he has compiled a very big list. While an astonishingly laborious and remarkable document not everything is on that list however and I know this by coming upon instruments from time to time that aren't on his list.. The Dopyera's started making National Steel Instruments in 1927 and then went on to establish Dobro a couple of years later---that is the only "National" brand that I know of. It's quite possible that with a photo someone might have an idea who was the manufacturer. There is a member here named Jim Garber who seems to know a great deal about old bowl backs -which I'll admit I don't know a whole hell of a lot if it's anything other than Martin,Larson or Lyon and Healy.Restoring that mandolin for yourself because it was Grand Dad's is probably the only reason to bother. Not much interest in those late 1800's early 1900's American made bowl backs -not even for the better ones. People that want bowl backs are usually classical players and seem more interested in European Emberger's and Calace's and such. Totally restored it's not worth the cost of a bag of groceries and unless your very handy the cost to bring that thing back (from your description of it's condition) would be much more than it is worth.!
Edited by - Ben Venuti on 10/20/2014 19:37:39
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